New And Remodeled Home Warranty Inspections

Are you getting all of the new home or remodeling you paid for?

The State Of Texas mandated minimum warranty.

What can a professional inspection do for you?

What are the benefits of Infrared Thermal Imaging (ITI)?

What WEB references do you have about the value of a warranty inspection?   

Are you getting all of the new home or remodeling you paid for?

Every new home builder wants to build you a perfect home.  But with so many different craftsmen, trades persons, crews, deadlines, timelines and budget requirements by a builder, errors do occur!  You can certainly be assured that the additional cost of warranty coverage actions was factored into the price of your new home.  Can you afford to not have an inspection and excercise your warranty rights?

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The State Of Texas mandated minimum warranty.

The State Of Texas requires all new homeowners be provided a ten year warranty from their builder.  In addition, if you have had remodeling work on your home that has changed the square footage area, or any interior remodeling contract exceeding $20,000, the contractor also must provide a warranty for that work.  These types of work are covered under the new Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC), "Warranties And Performance Standards" (see link below).  But are you aware that the first two years of that warranty are the most critical points?  

The first year covers all aspects of your home to include workmanship and materials.  After the first year workmanship and materials are only considered if the issue is considered a builders defect or error AND has a significant adverse effect.  The TRCC defines adverse effect as "A tangible condition that substantially impairs the functionality of the habitable areas of the home" (see 304.1 General Provisions, (c) Definitions).  If you read the warranty standards closely there are many items not considered significant and adverse, i.e. missing and deficient insulation.     

Up to year two covers failures and errors that cause adverse effects with the ability of your home's electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems and components.  Once you pass year two the only coverage is for conditions that essentially leave your home in a condition that is not safe, or potentially not safe, to live in.

There are many potentials in a new home for problems to arise due to construction errors and defects.  Many of these problems may not become obvious until well after your warranty periods end.  The TRCC has placed significant responsibilities upon you, the owner, to not only maintain your home but also to identify these errors and defects in a timely manner.  If you fail in either of these areas you might lose your right to have your builder take corrective actions.

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What can a professional inspection do for you?

As a Professional Inspector I can help you identify defects and errors that might fall under your warranty coverage.  Additionally identifying areas of required maintenance and actions, that are not being fully accomplished and might void your warranty, can be accomplished.  With the addition of Infrared Thermal Imaging I can take your inspection one step farther (read below).  Even if your inspection finds nothing, or only minor issues, you can rest easier knowing you have purchased a quality home.

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What are the benefits of Infrared Thermal Imaging (ITI)?

Adding ITI services to your warranty inspection can help you find indications of defects and issues a standard inspection may not (click here for full details of what ITI is). ITI can be used to help identify missing or deficient insulation, locate moisture and water penetration issues and help check the proper installation and operation of your heating and cooling system.  These are just a few of the many uses for ITI in a warranty inspection.  The added cost of an ITI survey has the potential of saving you a great deal of money.

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What WEB references do you have about the value of a warranty inspection?   

Take a moment to read the TRCC warranty standards and pay particular attention to the owner's responsibilities.  You, the owner, have significant responsibilities to not only maintain that home but also identify defects and issues in a timely manner.  It is up to you to make sure that what was paid for was actually received!

The Texas Residential Construction Commission minimum warranties

There are large number of links to various consumer groups, private concerns, etc., that have documented the issues with new home construction.  These are a few of the more popular ones.  These sites will provide links to the many other sites out there.

HOBB - Homeowners For Better Building   
HADD - Homeowners Against Defiicient Dwellings
The Home Bulder Implode-O-Meter (tracking financially troubled builders)

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